Extraperiosteal segmental excision for osteofibrous dysplasia of tibia with reconstruction by liquid nitrogen-treated recycled autograft

Abstract Background Osteofibrous dysplasia usually progresses until ten years of age and occasionally regresses spontaneously after puberty. Patients with osteofibrous dysplasia usually require close observation. Surgery is an option considered only for extensive, deforming lesions and those with pathological fractures and rapid progression prior to puberty. If surgery is indicated, the traditional intra-lesional curettage or subperiosteal resection usually leads to high recurrence. Hence, extraperiosteal wide excision and various methods of reconstruction after resection have been advocated for this lesion. We reviewed the clinical results of patients managed with extraperiosteal segmental excision and reconstruction by liquid nitrogen-treated tumor-bearing autograft combined with allograft. Methods From January 2010 to December 2014, twelve patients with final diagnosis of tibial osteofibrous dysplasia were studied retrospectively. All these patients were treated with extraperiosteal segmental excision and reconstruction by liquid nitrogen-treated tumor-bearing autograft combined with allograft. Results The patient group consisted of 5 males and 7 females, with a median age of 13 years (6–24 years). 3 lesions were located in left tibia and 9 in right. The median length of resected segment was 8 cm (5–11 cm). The patients were followed for 36–84 months (median 52 months). Follow-up radiographs showed that the median time for complete union of the grafted bone was 9 months (6–15 months). There was no evidence of recurrence. All patients had full range of motion in the knee and ankle joints after surgery. Conclusions Extraperiosteal segmental excision for osteofibrous dysplasia of tibia with reconstruction by liquid nitrogen-treated recycled autograft and allograft is a good surgical option to prevent recurrence and fill bone defects in this rare lesion.